1958 – Jan 27, Fire and suffocation deaths, Olympia Hotel, Walnut St., Des Moines, IA– 5

–5 AP. “Five Suffocate As Fire Sweeps Des Moines Hotel.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA. 1-27-1958, p1.
–5 Des Moines Register. “Keokuk Explosion Among Major Disasters in Iowa.” 11-26-1965, 4.

Narrative Information

Jan 27, AP: “Des Moines (AP) – Four elderly men and an unidentified man about 35 years old perished of suffocation early today in a $100,000 fire at the 75 cents-a-might Olympia hotel here. About 35 other residents, many of them old age pensioners, escaped without injury.

“The walkup hotel occupied the top two stories of an old three-story brick building on lower Walnut street. The building also housed Fortino’s tavern, the G&M café and the Modern Hygiene Corp.

“Fire officials said an investigation was in progress in an effort to determine the cause. A small fire in the same building a week ago necessitated temporary evacuation of the structure.

“Today’s fire was discovered about 2:45 a.m. Tom Moritas, hotel owner, said he saw smoke pouring into the alley and called firemen. Moritas and room clerk Marguerite Nichols immediately tried to awaken the guests, but the lights went out and smoke became too heavy before all could be alerted.

“Seventeen pieces of fire equipment fought the blaze in below-freezing weather and a 20-mile northwest wind.

“Four of the dead were identified as Owen Immel, 62; Everett Mart, 75; Melvin Allan, 75; and Joe Ingersoll, 70. The other victim was not identified immediately.

“Firemen said none of the victims was burned and death was due to suffocation.

“A preliminary investigation by the fire marshal’s office indicated the fire may have started in the café. One witness reported seeing the front end of the café blow outward, followed by a large puff of smoke and fire.” (Associated Press. “Five Suffocate As Fire Sweeps Des Moines Hotel.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA. 1-27-1958, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press. “Five Suffocate As Fire Sweeps Des Moines Hotel.” Ottumwa Daily Courier, IA. 1-27-1958, p. 1. Accessed 1-28-2023 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/ottumwa-daily-courier-jan-27-1958-p-1/

Des Moines Register, IA. “Keokuk Explosion Among Major Disasters in Iowa.” 11-26-1965, p. 4. At: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=116169964&sterm=keokuk